Green is notably the sole player featured twice in this compilation of the most expensive players in IPL history.
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The IPL 2026 mini-auction wrapped up on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, allowing the 10 teams to enhance their squads ahead of the 19th edition of the tournament. Here’s a quick overview of the ten most expensive players in IPL history. (Image Source: Reuters)
No. 1 | Rishabh Pant | INR 27 crore | The captain of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) became the most sought-after player in the IPL 2025 mega auction, receiving the highest-ever bid recorded in the league’s history. However, during the season, he struggled, moving around the batting order, misplaying key shots, and frequently getting out due to ill-timed hitting. Before the final match, he had only collected 187 runs at an average of 17, with just one half-century to show. (Image Source: Reuters)
No. 2 | Shreyas Iyer | INR 26.75 crore | Iyer has successfully led two different IPL teams, Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), to the finals. Known for his stability in the middle order, he excels against spin bowling. (Image Source: iplt20.com)
No. 3 | Cameron Green | INR 25.2 crore | The tall Australian all-rounder ignited a furious bidding war between CSK and KKR in this year’s mini-auction. A potent batsman, Green has previously represented MI and RCB and can also be an asset as a bowler. (Image Source: iplt20.com)
No. 4 | Mitchell Starc | INR 24.5 crore: Starc became the most expensive player in IPL history temporarily in 2023 when KKR acquired him for Rs 24.75 crore during the auction for the 17th season. Despite an eight-year hiatus from the league, he has been a formidable bowler in limited-overs, playing a crucial role in his national team’s ODI World Cup victory that year. (Image: Reuters)
No. 5 | Venkatesh Iyer | INR 23.75 crore | The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made headlines by spending heavily on Venkatesh Iyer, bringing him back into the fold after initially not retaining him. Unfortunately, he struggled with consistency, accumulating only 142 runs in 11 matches, with a strike rate of 139.22 and only one 50+ score throughout the season, leading to his release from the team. (Image Source: Reuters)
No. 6 | Pat Cummins | INR 20.50 crore | The captain who led his team to a World Cup victory was recognized for a stellar year with a lucrative deal from Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2024 auction. At INR 20.50 crore, Cummins is a valuable asset, blending his leadership with all-rounder abilities. (Image Source: Reuters)
No. 7 | Sam Curran | INR 18.5 crore | Punjab Kings (PBKS) acquired the English all-rounder for INR 18.5 crore in the prior mega auction; however, his performances were inconsistent, despite being a new ball bowler and frequently appearing in the middle order. (Image Source: iplt20.com)
No. 8 | Arshdeep Singh | INR 18 crore | The left-arm pacer was the second-best bowler for India during their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign in 2024, yet Punjab Kings (PBKS) opted not to retain him. Nevertheless, they used their Right to Match (RTM) card to reacquire him for INR 18 crore, which was interesting since they could have kept him beforehand for the same amount. (Image Source: iplt20.com)
No. 9 | Yuzvendra Chahal | INR 18 crore | As the bowler with the most wickets in the IPL’s history, Chahal garnered significant attention, and PBKS made a noteworthy acquisition in the mega auction last year. However, with the rise of multi-skilled spinners, he has fallen behind Washington Sundar and Axar Patel in the selection hierarchy, alongside Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy occupying the other two spots. (Image Source: Reuters)
